National Dish Chile: Alfajores (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Alfajores, one of Chile’s most-loved sweet treats! These delicate, melt-in-the-mouth biscuits are sandwiched together with a generous layer of rich dulce de leche and finished with a snowfall of icing sugar. Beloved across much of South America, they make the perfect companion to a mid-afternoon coffee or a festive spread. Bring a taste of authentic Chilean baking straight into your own kitchen.
About Alfajores
Alfajores are one of Chile’s best-loved delicacies, and a treat you will find right across South America. These tender biscuits are prized not only for their unique flavour but for their beautiful play of textures and aromas. Traditionally filled with dulce de leche — a sweet caramel spread — they offer an incomparable taste experience. A final dusting of icing sugar makes them all the more tempting and utterly irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 100g soft butter
- 100g sugar
- 1 egg
- 200g plain flour
- 50g cornflour
- 100g dulce de leche
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Shopping for the ingredients
To make alfajores you will need fresh ingredients, most of which are available in any well-stocked supermarket. Pay particular attention when buying dulce de leche, as the quality of the spread is crucial to the flavour of the finished biscuits. If you are planning to bake these for friends or guests, buy enough to make plenty of portions. Some items, such as cornflour, may only be found in specialist food shops or online.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin making the alfajores, it is well worth laying out all your ingredients in advance. Make sure the butter is soft, as this makes it much easier to mix and improves the texture of the dough. Combine the flour and cornflour in a bowl beforehand to ensure an even consistency. It also helps to prepare your work surface properly, so the dough is clean and simple to handle.
Step-by-step instructions
- Beat the soft butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and mix well until the mixture is creamy.
- Gradually stir in the flour and cornflour until you have a smooth, even dough.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut out round biscuits.
- Place the biscuits on a baking tray and bake at 180°C for about 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Once cool, spread the biscuits with dulce de leche and sandwich them together.
- Finally, dust the alfajores with icing sugar.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of the alfajores, simply swap the wheat flour for a gluten-free flour blend. These blends are now widely available and do a great job of preserving the biscuits’ texture. To make the biscuits lactose-free, use lactose-free butter and a plant-based alternative to dulce de leche. That way, people with food intolerances can enjoy this delicious treat too.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
If you would like to make a vegan version of the alfajores, replace the butter with coconut oil or margarine. In place of the egg, use puréed flaxseed or apple sauce as a binder. To adapt the filling, there are lovely vegan dulce de leche alternatives based on coconut or date paste. This keeps the alfajores fully plant-based while still every bit a treat.
More tips and tricks
To get the best results with your alfajores, it pays not to over-bake the biscuits — they should be just set, without drying out. Take care not to over-work the dough, as this can make the biscuits tough. Another useful tip is to let the biscuits cool completely before filling them, so the dulce de leche does not run when you sandwich them together.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
One of the great advantages of alfajores is their versatility. You can vary the filling to suit your taste — try a chocolate dulce de leche or a fruity preserve, for example. You could also work spices such as cinnamon or vanilla into the dough for an extra layer of aroma. Experiment with different ingredients to give this traditional treat your own personal touch!
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have butter to hand, you can replace it with margarine or a plant-based oil. For gluten-free versions, a mix of ground almonds and oat flour also works well. For the filling, you might reach for honey or maple syrup if you would prefer a less sweet option. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the filling whenever you use substitutes, much as you would with a delicate Calzones Rotos.
Drink pairing ideas
Alfajores pair beautifully with a wide range of drinks. For an authentic treat, a strong coffee or a mild tea complements the biscuits’ sweetness perfectly. For a more festive occasion, you could serve a cup of hot chocolate or a chai latte. These combinations are sure to give you and your guests a memorable taste experience.
Serving and presentation ideas
To present alfajores attractively, arrange the biscuits on a pretty plate and dust them with a little icing sugar. A charming idea is to pack them into a decorative box or jar, which also makes them a perfect gift. Round out the presentation with fresh berries or edible flowers for an extra splash of colour. This elevates any coffee table and is guaranteed to delight your guests.
A bit of history
The history of alfajores reaches all the way back to the time of the Arabs, when they became popular in Spain. From there they found their way to South America, particularly to Argentina and Chile. Different countries have their own versions, varying in ingredients and methods of preparation. Even so, the basic idea remains the same: two sweet biscuits joined by a sweet filling — a tradition that lives on to this day and sits proudly within Chilean cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Alfajores
All in all, alfajores are a delicious and versatile treat that no kitchen should be without. Whether for special occasions or simply to enjoy between meals, these biscuits bring a touch of South American culture right into your home. Their tender texture and sweet filling are sure to delight friends and family alike. Let yourself be inspired and give this traditional recipe a try, to experience the seductive sweetness of Chile.
